USA: PepsiCo interested in acquiring KeVita – reports

PepsiCo, the global soft drinks and snacks firm, is showing interest in making a deal to acquire US probiotics drinks firm KeVita, according to a report in Reuters quoting “people familiar with the matter”.

Any deal would reportedly be through PepsiCo’s Naked Emerging Brands venture, the objective of which is described as expanding the company’s soft drinks portfolio through developing brands positioned towards health-conscious consumers.

A deal for KeVita would value the firm at slightly less than $500 million and could be finalised as soon as this month, the Reuters report continues.

KeVita currently sells drinks to aid the digestive and immune systems, including sparkling probiotic drinks, kombucha tea and vinegar tonics. For its part, PepsiCo offers ‘healthier’ beverages under the Naked Juice and ONE Coconut Water brands, and recently expanded its Tropicana brand into the probiotics space with the launch of Tropicana Essentials Probiotics.